Att dö med trycksår

Abstract

Background: Pressure ulcers are a local damage of the skin. The damage is above a bony prominence caused by pressure or a combination of pressure shear and friction. Pain from the pressure ulcer is a common problem that affects quality of life negatively.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of pressure ulcers in palliative care and to see if people with pain and pressure ulcers are pain assessed by VAS/NRS. The aim was also to see if there was any correlation between pressure ulcers and pain.

Method: The method used was a retrospective descriptive study with quantitative approach. Data collection was done through questions taken from the Swedish death inquiry. The data were taken from the Swedish palliative register and through journal review.

Results: The incidence of pressure ulcers during 2008-2010 was between 29 – 33 %. During the period died 95 (30%) with pressure ulcers, 83% of these pressure ulcers were category 1 or 2 wounds. Of those who died with pressure ulcers 78 % experienced pain last week of life, 59 % had pain assessed by VAS/NRS that showed that 69% estimated above 3 on the VAS/NRS scale. The median on VAS/NRS was 6. No significant correlation between pressure ulcers and pain were found.

Conclusion: Staff who care for people in end of life care should have a good knowledge of how, why and when pressure ulcers occur towards the end of life, they should also have greater knowledge of the body's pain mechanisms and pain relief that works.